Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe earned a hard-fought point in a 0–0 draw against South Africa in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday night.
The Warriors, already out of contention for a place at the World Cup and still searching for their first win in the group, were determined to avoid the embarrassment of back-to-back defeats to Bafana Bafana.
Zimbabwe had lost the reverse fixture 3–1 in Bloemfontein in June last year and came into the match as clear underdogs after a disappointing campaign that has seen them remain the only team in Group C without a victory.
The visitors were reduced to ten men with 25 minutes remaining after former captain Knowledge Musona was sent off for a second bookable offence.
South Africa pressed forward in search of a breakthrough, with Teboho Mokoena, substitute Thapelo Morena and Lyle Foster all coming close, but Zimbabwe held firm.
Jordan Zemura almost grabbed a stunning winner for the Warriors, but his powerful effort struck the upright with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams well beaten.
South Africa were also reduced to ten men in the closing stages, and Zimbabwe managed to see out the match to claim their first draw of the campaign—though a win still eludes them.
The result leaves Zimbabwe anchored at the bottom of Group C on five points. For South Africa, the draw is a major setback as they now trail leaders Benin by two points after Benin edged Rwanda 1–0.
Benin top the group with 17 points, South Africa are on 15, while Nigeria sit one point further back after beating Lesotho 2–1.
Zimbabwe will finish their campaign against Lesotho in Polokwane, while Benin and Nigeria clash in a decisive encounter that could determine the group’s final standings as South Africa take on Rwanda.
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